LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ray Bell upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bethlehem
Toastmasters Club

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Ray Bell has given not only of his time and energies but also
of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has been
designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ray Bell upon
the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Lifetime Achievement
Award by the Bethlehem Toastmasters Club; this momentous occasion was
celebrated at its Annual Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 17, 2014;
and
WHEREAS, Toastmasters International (TI) is a nonprofit educational
organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping
members improve their communication, public speaking, and leadership
skills; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Northeastern University with a degree in Civil
Engineering, Ray Bell began his illustrious career with the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation in 1960, where he
remained for more than three decades; and
WHEREAS, As a Bridge Designer and subsequently an Air Pollution
Control Engineer for the New York State Department of Transportation,
Ray Bell served the Capital District and Syracuse areas; and
WHEREAS, Ray Bell has been called upon to contribute his time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, In 1967, Ray Bell joined the Campus Toastmasters Club, later
known as the Patroon Club, to better his public speaking; and
WHEREAS, After beginning a special project in 1995, Ray Bell achieved
the highest level of Toastmasters International, the distinguished
Toastmaster Award; this culminated in the creation of the Bethlehem
Toastmasters Club in 1996, where he was one of its Charter Officers; and
WHEREAS, Ray Bell served as a Toastmasters Club officer in several
capacities and organization levels, including Area and Division Gover-
nor; in addition to the Bethlehem Club, he is also a member of the Alba-
ny Stratton VA Toastmasters, and the Apopka Toastmasters Club in Flori-
da, where he and his wife spend the winter months; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong hiker and outdoor recreationist, Ray Bell
completed the Adirondack 46, the Appalachian Trail, a portion of the
North Country National Scenic Trail, and the highest peaks in Vermont,
New Hampshire and Maine; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, these activities provided Ray Bell with ample
material for his speeches at Toastmaster Meetings, and allowed him to
help both old and new members achieve the various levels of Toastmasters
speaking and leadership skills; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Ray Bell has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Beth, who feels privi-
leged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Ray Bell has displayed throughout
his life; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ray Bell upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bethlehem Toastmasters Club; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ray Bell.